Search Results for: esporao

22 July 2015 2012 Esporao Late Harvest White

2012 Esporao Late Harvest White

July 22, 2015 By

2012 Esporao Late HarvestI’m a fan of wines produced by Esporao and at a recent luncheon hosted by David Baverstock, Chief Winemaker of Esporao, I learned a late harvest wine is produced by the famed winery. I love sweet wines and was intrigued by this Semillon-based late harvest.

In the glass, the color is a medium straw color. The nose is of intense tropical fruit with sweet citrus notes. The fruitiness continues on the palate with a bit of honey on the long finish. The wine is rich without being heavy on the palate. There’s great acidity on this nicely-balanced wine. Not cloyingly sweet as many of the more affordable wines can be.

Pairings: Foie gras, blue cheese, desserts that aren’t overly sweet – stone fruit tarts, roasted figs.

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Semillon

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Price: $17 (375 ml bottle)

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Portugal, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
18 March 2015 2013 Esporao Vinha da Defesa Rosé

2013 Esporao Vinha da Defesa Rosé

March 18, 2015 By

2013 Esporao Vinha da Defesa RoséWith our winter seemingly lasting extra long this year, when an offer to taste a rosé came about, I couldn’t resist.

In the glass, the color is festive and bright pink. The nose is of intense red berry and cherry aromas. The bright fruity aromas continue on the palate. There’s good acidity and minerality with a slightly tart medium finish.

Pairings: Lightly-prepared fish or seafood. Perfect as an aperitif.

Style: Rosé Wine

Grape Type(s): Syrah, Aragones

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Price: $15

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Portugal, Rose, Blush Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
14 January 2015 2012 Esporao Reserve Red

2012 Esporao Reserve Red

January 14, 2015 By

2012 Esporao Reserve RedDark fruit, spicy nose with a bit of smokiness. Lots of ripe dark berry and plum flavors. Firm tannins on a dry finish. Like this wine a lot at this pricepoint.

Will improve with some time in the bottle and with decanting.

Pairings: Burger, pasta with tomato sauce, grilled meat.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonês, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Price: $20

Filed Under: By Country, Cabernet Sauvignon, Portugal, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,

2011 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho White

January 2, 2014 By

2011 Herdade do Esporao Monte Velho WhitePortuguese winery Herdade do Esporão is likely the best-known in the Alentejo wine region. Its white wines are affordable, available and delicious.

The 2011 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho White is medium straw color in the glass and offers fruity, juicy citrus aromas and ripe apricot and Meyer lemon flavors. Zippy acidity and minerality.

Pairings: Seafood, fish and served as an aperitif.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): 35% Antao Vaz, 35% Roupeiro and 30% Perrum

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Price: $10

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Antao Vaz, Perrum, Portugal, Roupeiro, White Wine Tagged With: , , ,
6 April 2013 Portuguese White Wines by Herdade do Esporão

Portuguese White Wines by Herdade do Esporão

April 6, 2013 By

2012 Herdade do Esporao Verdelho WhiteI uncorked these two wines at a recent dinner party where I served a seafood paella. The guests at the dinner were evenly split when it came to favoring one wine over the other. Both had enough body to stand up to the flavorful dish.

  • 2011 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho White ($9.99) – medium straw color in the glass, this Portuguese wine offers fruity, juicy citrus aromas and ripe apricot and Meyer lemon flavors. Antao Vaz, Roupeiro, Perrum grapes.
  • 2012 Herdade do Esporão Verdelho White ($12.99) – light, slightly green in the glass, this wine exuded aromas of juicy lime. On the palate, it offered honeydew, apple and bright citrus flavors. Great level of acidity and a pleasant medium finish. 100% Verdelho grape.

2011 Herdade do Esporao Monte Velho WhiteHerdade do Esporão is perhaps the best-known winery in the Alentejo wine region of Portugal and its white wines and red wines are affordable, available and delicious.

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as they are truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Antao Vaz, Perrum, Portugal, Roupeiro, Verdelho, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
4 March 2013 2009 Esporao Reserva Red

2009 Esporao Reserva Red

March 4, 2013 By

Esporao-Reserva-Red-2009Enjoyed this wine at the New York Wine Expo. Nose offers dark cherries, ripe berries and pumpkin pie spice. This easy-drinking wine has juicy berry and some stone fruit flavors and a rich, slightly tannic finish.

Pairings: Grilled meat, roasted mushrooms.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Tempranillo, Tinto Fino, Tinta Roriz, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Price: $18

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Portugal, Red Wine, Tempranillo, Tinto Fino, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
10 February 2016 10 Rosé Wines to Enjoy this Winter

10 Rosé Wines to Enjoy this Winter

February 10, 2016 By

Rosé wine sales are booming on the American market with 3.3 million cases estimated to have been sold in 2015, up from 500,000 cases sold in 2008 (source: Nielson).

Rose Wine WinterWhat was once considered a summer patio wine, rosé has become popular year-around due primarily to its food-friendliness. While there are numerous light-bodied rosés best served as aperitifs, many can hold up to hearty foods served in the winter.

Here are 10 rosé wines to enjoy this winter:

Valdo Rosé Brut ($13.99) – Deep pink in the glass, this wine offers fruity aromas and floral and raspberry flavors very fine bubbles. Nerello Mascalese, Glera.

Paul Cheneau Brut Rosé ($13.99) – Very bright cherry-pink color with well-developed small and constant bubbles forming a gentle rosary. Intense notes of fresh red fruits and hints of fine lees and dried berries, together with subtle, yet very attractive fragrances of fresh strawberries. 85% Trepat, 15% Pinot Noir.

2014 La Petite Perrière Rosé ($13.99) – Bright, pale pink with light raspberry colored highlights. On the nose, the wine develops subtle aromas of raspberry and morello cherry with hints of rose petals. 100% Pinot Noir.

2015 Los Vascos Rosé ($13.99) – Bright, pale pink color. On the nose, aromas of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and pomegranates underscored by white chocolate and sugar syrup. The palate is fresh, balanced and persistent. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah.

Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé NV ($15.99) – Bright pink in the glass with strawberry aromas that carry over in the mouth. Laced with citrus and a little clove, Creamy and silky texture with nice level of acidity and a clean, dry finish. 100% Pinot Noir.

2013 Esporao Vinha da Defesa Rosé ($15.99) – In the glass, the color is festive and bright pink. The nose is of intense red berry and cherry aromas. The bright fruity aromas continue on the palate. There’s good acidity and minerality with a slightly tart medium finish. Syrah, Aragones.

Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Rosé ($21.99) – The flavors display nice strawberry and wild cherry fruit, with a touch of richness on the mid palate. It is balanced with dry, crisp acidity and complimented with a creamy texture and long finish. 100% Pinot Noir.

2014 Prieuré de Montézargues Tavel AOC ($23.99) – A pretty rosé wine with violet tints and a nice salmon color. The nose is intense with tones of red currant, raspberry and white flowers. 55% Grenaches (red & white), 30% Cinsault, 13% Clairette, 2% Others (Syrah, Mourvédre, Carignan, Bourboulenc).

2014 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé ($35.99) – Intense floral nose with a bit of strawberry. It has incredible peaches and juicy, ripe cantaloupe flavors with bright acidity and a long pleasantly dry finish. 50% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 2% Carignan.

Champagne Drappier Brut Rosé ($54.99) – Very well structured, with exemplary purity of red fruits. Striking Champagne on the nose offering similar sensations on the palate. Warm and satiny, lightly spiced with balanced hints of stoned fruits thanks to a lovely freshness in the finish. 100% Pinot Noir.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: By Country, Rose, Blush Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

5 Affordable Wines for 4th of July Parties

July 1, 2015 By

Wine in ParcSummer’s here and so are warm days and humidity. What summer also means is fun-filled gatherings, including 4th of July get-togethers.

Here is a list of five wines to pour during your 4th of July celebrations that are affordable and certain to please your guests:

Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace ($22): This lovely bubbly is coral/pink in color with the tiniest of bubbles. Light strawberry aromas with juicy, slightly sweet strawberry flavors that’s balanced by bright acidity. Serve this bubbly as your guests arrive to create a festive atmosphere.

2014 Two Lands Pinot Grigio ($14): Light and crisp with Meyer lemon flavors that finish on a zesty note. Nice summer sipper and great as an aperitif and with crudités.

2013 Esporao Vinha da Defesa Rosé ($15): This festive, bright pink wine is super food-friendly. Intense red berry and cherry aromas with bright fruity flavors. Perfect for a seafood boil and the cornucopia of flavors at a BBQ.

2013 Egger Ramer Schiava Gentile ($15): Fragrant with red berry aromas with ripe strawberry and cherry flavors. Great acidity making this wine very versatile with summer foods. Pair with charcuterie platter or even hot dogs.

Montes 2012 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon ($15): Deep ruby in the glass, this wine offers blackberry aromas with notes of mocha and leather. It’s full-bodied and big on dark fruit and ripe raspberries with a nice touch of oak. This is your steaks/ribs/burgers wine.

Enjoy these summer wines and let me know if you try any of them!

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Italy, Pinot Grigio, Portugal, Red Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
29 January 2015 Easy Valentine’s Day Menu and Wine Pairings

Easy Valentine’s Day Menu and Wine Pairings

January 29, 2015 By

happy valentines day 2014From experience, we all know Valentine’s Day at a restaurant can be hectic and restricted to fixed menus. For those of you who prefer to stay home and cook up a romantic meal, here is some inspirational recipes with affordable wine recommendations. 

BONUS – breakfast:  Waffles with Raspberries and Nutella

Whichever dish you decide to prepare for your loved one(s) this Valentine’s Day, I hope your meal is paired with love.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: American, Beef, Breakfast, Desserts, Entrees, French, Seafood, Starters Tagged With: ,
28 August 2014 5 Wines to Enjoy on Labor Day Weekend

5 Wines to Enjoy on Labor Day Weekend

August 28, 2014 By

Summer’s almost over and we all have one last ‘official’ barbecue in our future – Labor Day Weekend!

wine-by-the-fireHere are five wines to uncork during your holiday celebrations that are easily found at your local wine shop and are certain to please your guests:

  • 2012 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho Red ($10): Berry fruit aromas with some faint toasty notes. Elegant palate with great fruit and a fine tannins.
  • 2012 Graffigna Centenario Elevation Red Blend ($10): jammy stone fruit flavors mixing with dark berry and cherry ones. Slightly tannic on the finish with ripe, dark fruit that lingers on the palate.
  • La Marca Di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco ($12): light and crisp sparkling wine that offers a dry, citrusy and fresh finish. Perfect to serve as an aperitif as your guests arrive.
  • 2010 Clone 5 Pinot Noir ($20): nice and bright cherry aromas jumping out of the glass. Cherry continues on the palate but with raspberry and even strawberry the a little pepper on the finish.
  • 2011 Frank Family Vineyards Napa Zinfandel ($30): noseful of dried herbs and dark berry with classic blackberry and stone fruit on the palate. Smooth finish with a hint of oak.      

Enjoy the end of the summer with these wines!

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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